Combined vanity case, cigarette case, and lighter



A. F. REILLY Dec. 28, 1937.

COMBINED VANITY CASE, CIGARETTE CAS E, AND LIGHTER Filed Jan. 22, 1934 2Sheqts-Sheet 1 0 I u a I.

INVENTOR .Alfreol vj fi/ezllj BY M9 I Ms E Dec. 28, 1937. A. F. REILLY2,103,755

I COMBINED VANITY CASE, CIGARETTE CASE, AND LIGHTER I Filed Jan. 22,19:54 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIIIIIIIII V Illllllll II IHIIIIHH HHllllHllIll \VENTOR Patented Dec. 28, 1937 UNITED STATES COMBINED VANITY CASE,CIGARETTE- CASE, AND LIGHTER Alfred F. Reilly, North Attleboro, Mass,assignor to Evans Case Company, a corporation of MassachusettsApplication January 22, 1934, Serial No. 707,694

5 Claims.

The invention relates to a combined'vanity and cigarette case, andwith'regard to its more specific features, to a combined vanity,cigarette case and lighter.

One object of the invention is to provide a highly desirable andconvenient arrangement of cigarette case, lighter and vanity case in asingle structure. Another object of the invention is to provide aneasily manipulated article of the type indicated. Another object of theinvention is to provide a structure capable of dispensing cigarettes andpowder from separate compartments in a single receptacle. vention is toprovide a structure for a doublense article which can be embodied incommercial articles in large quantities with a minimum manufacturingcost, Another object of the invention is to provide an extremely durablearticle; Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed outhereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will beexemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scopeof the applicationof which will be in dicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown certain of variouspossible embodiments of the mechanical features of this invention,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a combined cigarette and vanity caseand lighter;

Figure 2 isa cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper part of thearticle of Figure 1, the parts being illustrated on a somewhat enlargedscale, the plane of the section being indicated by the sectional line inFigure 2, and this View being taken looking in the direction of thearrows 33 of Figure 2';

Figure 4 is a view which may be described according to the descriptionof Figure 3, the parts being viewed, however, in the direction of thearrows 4-4 of Figure 2; V

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure '1; a

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the vanity compartment assembly, open;A

Figure 7 is a bottom view of the dispenser unit; 1 V

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a long cigarette case, open, withvanity case; 5

Figure 9 is a front elevation of another cornbination cigarette andvanity case, showing the interior parts in dotted lines.

Another object of the 'in- 7 (Cl. 206-4L4) Similar reference charactersrefer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmgs.

' Referring first to Figures 1' and 2, I provide a pair of struck shellsand 2| made of a metal which may be easily formed in a press or thelike. The shell 20 is slightly longer than the shell 2| and has a topwall flange 22. Both shells 2D and 2| are preferably of generallyrectangular form although the sides may be slight- Y 1y curved as shown.a

As best shown in Figure 1, I'connect the shells '20 and 2| together atthe bottom or side by means of a hinge 23 which may comprise the usualintegral bent-over hinge portions, several on each 15 shell, andconnected by the usual hinge pin pass- 7 ing through them, and at anypoint along the bottom or side I omit one or more hinge portions andplace on the hinge pin a spring 24, the opposite ends of which engagethe insides of the shells 212 and 2| thus resiliently urging them intoopen position, one relative to the other.

The shells 2B and 2| thus constitute a cigarette case for the receptionof cigarettes in a vertical position, Figure 1, and the shell.2| may bereferred to as acover.

Still referring to Figures 1 and 2, to one of. the shells 2|] or 2| (asshown to the shell 2| which constitutes the cover) I fasten a pair ofspring latch members 25, 25as by rivets 26, 26. Latch members 25 havefinger engaging portions 21 extending through slots in thev sides of thecover 2|, and they also have detents 28, 28 adapted to engage detents29, 29 formed in the back wall struck shell 20. Thus the cover 2| isheld in closed position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and may be openedby pressing inwardly the finger portions 21, 21.

I provide an integral sheet metal member which extends longitudinally ofthe article a distance equal to the differencebetween the length of theshells 2B and 2| and which, with the cover 2|, when closed, makes acomplete front wall to the article, and which comprises a front wallportion 3| and a top wall portion 32, comple mentary to the top wallflange 22. I further provide a fuel tank bottom wall 33 which forms theupper boundary of the cigarette'case compartment, I further provide awell 34 for the reception and mounting of lighter mechanism which willbe described. I also provide an internally screw threaded orifice member35. A

r The parts 3|, 32, 33, 34 and 35 are desirably affixed to each otherand connected to the back 7 wall shell 20 by soldering or brazingoperations;

the top wall portions 22 and 32 are cut away for the reception of thewell 34 and the orifice member 35, and for the better union of theseparts and to give rigidity to the article the well 34 and the orificemember 35 may have top flanges 35, 3?, respectively, overlapping the topwall 22, 32. I may provide an extra inside reinforcing member 38, ifdesired.

The structure just described forms an enclosed space for the receptionof liquid fuel, which may be absorbed in cotton or the like which isplaced in this enclosed space, and thus the parts constitute a fuelreceptacle firmly secured to the struck shell 20.

On the top wall 22, 32, and in the well 34 I mount lighter mechanismpreferably of the type fully described in the copending applicationSerial No. 646,754 filed December 12, 1932 by Robert S. Blair.Reserving, therefore, the right to supplement this description with thefuller description contained in the aforesaid copending application ofRobert S. Blair, I briefly describe this lighter mechanism, which is thepreferred form of lighter mechanism constituting part of the presentinvention, as follows:

A wick tube 40 extends through the flange 36 of the well 34 and throughthe top wall portion 32 and 22 and is securely aflixed in place. A wick4| extends through the tube 40 and into the fuel receptacle. A snuffermember 42 of the shape shown is pivotally mounted on a pin 43 whichextends between upwardly extending ears 44 desirably formed integralwith the well 34. The snufier member 42 has a cap 45 which normallycovers the upper end of the wick 4| and seats on the wick tube 40.

A finger piece member 46, of the shape shown, is pivotally mounted on apin 41 extending between the ears 44. The finger piece 46 is normallyurged upwardly by means of a spring 48 and the pressure of the spring 48is transmitted to the snuir'er 42 to hold the snuffer cap 45 closed bymeans of a forwardly extending portion 49 engaging the under side of thesnuifer member 42. There is a spring connection between the finger piece46 and the snuffer member 42 constituting a spring 513 looped around thepin 43. There is a latch member 5| normally preventing the rising of thesnuffer member 42 because a latch 52 of the member 5| engages the pin47, the latch 5| being urged into latching position by a small spring53. Depression of the finger piece 45 results, at first, in nosubstantial movement of the snuffer member 42; finally, however, thebottom of the finger piece 46 or a lug 54 provided thereon engages thelatch 5| unlatching the portion 52, whereupon the snufier 42 fliesupwardly under the influence of the spring 50. At such time amulti-toothed pawl member 55 which engages a ratchet wheel 56, rotatessaid ratchet wheel and a sparking wheel 51 integrally attached thereto,thus projecting sparks from a piece of pyrophoric material 53 andthrowing them upon the wick 4|. The ratchet wheel 56 and the abrasivewheel 5'l are mounted upon the pin 41, and the multi-toothed pawl 55 isurged into engagement with the ratchet wheel 56 by means of a spring 59.

I have provided a tube 611 for the retention of the pyrophoric material58, which is urged into engagement with the abrasive wheel 51 by meansof a plunger 6| spring-pressed upwardly by a spring 62 that is held inposition and which may be adjusted by means of a screw closure member63. The tube 60 extends through the bottom wall member 33 and new piecesof pyrophoric material 58 may be inserted into the tube 60 from theinside of the cigarette case. This construction insures a straight tubeproviding a uniform pressure of the pyrophoric material 58, and thesmall parts comprising the pyrophoric metal 58, plunger 6|, and spring62 are less easily lost when replacing pyrophoric metal because theyfall into the cigarette enclosure. 7

I provide a screw closure 65 for the fuel tank seating in the threadedmember 35, and a split tubular member 66 to hold extra pieces ofpyrophoric material and which seats in the screw 65 may be provided. Byreason of the fact that the fuel receptacle can be filled from outsidethe cigarette case, the wetting of the inside of the cigarette case withconsequent spoiling of cigarettes is avoided.

The struck shells 20 and 2| make a complete handful, so that a firm gripmay be had upon the entire article with the hand, locating the thumbover and upon the finger piece 46 which may thus be readily depressed toactuate the lighter. It will be seen that the flame is well removed fromany finger, and it will be further seen that the lighter mechanismprovides no parts which project outwardly beyond the edge or side wallsof the cigarette case and receptacle, and thus the article may be veryconveniently carried in a small pocket of a hand bag or the like.

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, I provide a vanity case in the covershell 2|. This vanity case is generally designated by the numeral 10 andis aflixed to the lip of a circular hole in the shell 2|. As bettershown in Figure 2, I provide an inside bezel ring H with an outwardlyextending upper flange portion 72 and an inwardly extending lower flangeportion 13 from which extend a plurality of tabs 14. Interlocking withthe bezel H is an outside cylindrical ring I5 having an inwardlyextending flange 16 on the bottom. The top of the ring 15 engages theunder side of the flange 12, and the tabs 14 are bent over to hold theparts together. The ring 15 has a plurality of nicks '1? extendingoutwardly and just below the flange 12.

In the walls of the bezel H are formed resilient detents 78 by making aU-shaped cut through the metal, the U standing vertically, Figure 2, andthe detents 18 constituting the remaining metal and having pressedinwardly portions 19 constituting snaps. Two or more of the detents 18may be provided.

The entire unit thus far described may be snapped in place in the holein the cover 2! as the nicks 11 can be forced downwardly past the lip ofthe hole and then snap outwardly locking the vanity case parts to thecover 2|. To form the bottom of a powder compartment a metal cup member80 may be'forced over the outer cylindrical member 15, which it fitswith a press flt. This metal cup member 88 also constitutes a pressermember to press the cigarettes in the cigarette case.

Afiixed to the outwardly extending flange portion 12, that is hingedlyconnected to it, is a vanity case cover 8| which may be constructed likethe cover described in my U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,869,983 grantedAugust 2, 1932, and said cover 8| may contain a rouge compartment and amirror as described in the patent. Inside the bezel H and heldresiliently in position by the detents 18 is a powder dispensing memberwhich is shown in section in Figure 2, in bottom. plan view in Figure 7,and which may be the same as the dispensing member shown and describedin the aforesaid patent. This dispensing member comprisesa dispensingcover 82 and a dispensing plate 83, as described in the patent, and itis here noted that when you press the plate 83 downwardly a gap isopened between it and the cover 82 for the dispensing of powder.

It will be seen that the article described allocates space for alighter, a cigarette case and a vanity case so that the entire articleis no larger than the usual cigarette case, and that the vanity casecompartments may be reached withoutdisturbing the cigarette compartmentand vice versa, and in any position of the parts the lighter may be lit,and the casings constitute a handle for the lighter. The cover of thecigarette case provides a foundation frame for the vanity case and theback of the cigarette case provides a foundation frame for the lighter.The construction of the parts permits manufacturing methods which enablethe article to be embodied in well operating units cheaply. I

Referring now to Figure 8, I have shown a long fiat cigarette caseconstituting a pair of similar struck shells 90 and 9I of which theshell 90 may be considered the cover. The shells 99 and 9I are connectedby a hinge 92 of the type already described, and a spring 93 urges theshells apart. One end of the spring 93 reacts against a presser member94 of the shape shown, and thus urges the presser member 94 intoengagement with cigarettes in a cigarette compartment 95. The bottomwall of the cigarette compartment 05 constitutes a narrow strip of metal96 suitably secured in place as by the use of solder. In the cover 90 isa pin 91 which engages with the lip of a latch detent 98 resilientlyheld in place by a long strip of metal 99 riveted at I00, I09 to theshell 9|, and a finger piece 'IOI extends outwardly through a slot in.the shell 9| and thereby the cigarette case can be opened.

In the cover 90 is a vanity case unit I92 which may be exactly asalready described, and it is noted that the cover of the vanity case isarranged to open in the same direction that the cigarette case opens,that is to say the hinge for the vanity case cover, not shown, isparallel to the hinge 92.

Referring now to Figure 9, I have therein illustrated a combinationvanity case and. cigarette case comprising a vanity case I05 in thecover I00 of a cigarette case which has inside it a presser member I01and which has a. latch I08 similar to the latch 98 and associated partsalready described. As in. the case of the article of Figure 8, thevanity case preferably opens in the same angular direction as thecigarette case. The articles of Figures 8 and 9 have all the fea turesand advantages already set forth in con.- nection with the embodiment ofFigures 1 to 7 inclusive other than those involving the lightermechanism and its construction.

It will thus be seen that there has been. provided by this invention anarticle in which the various objects hereinabove set forth, togetherwith many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved. Asmany possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and

. as many changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, itis to be understood that as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:-

'1. In an article of the class described, in combination, a containerhaving an enclosure in the upper portion thereof, a cover plate hingedlyconnected to one edge of said container and extend-- ing therefrom. tosaid enclosure, said cover plate having an aperture therein, a. lightermounted on one of the walls of said enclosure, and a receptacle mountedin said aperture in said cover plate and having a wall which forms awall portion of the container when the cover plate is in closedposition. r

2. In an article of the class described, a pair of rectangular struckshells in the form of a container and cover respectively, hinge meansconnecting said shells, a receptacle in said container having a wallconstituting one side of a cigarette compartment, a cup member fastenedto said cover and extending toward said container but spaced from saidcigarette compartment in all relative positions of said shells, said cupmember constituting the body of a powder compartment and a wall portionof the container when the cover is in closed position.

3. In an article of the class described, in. combination, a cigarettecontainer, a cover for said cigarette container hingedly connectedthereto, and a vanity case mounted in said cover ineluding-a cup-shapedportion depending from said cover and extending toward the bottom ofsaid container and forming a Wall portion of the container when thecover is in closed position to act as a presser member for cigarettesdisposed withv in said container. 4. In an article of the classdescribed, in com bination, a container, an enclosure formed upon oneend of said container, a lighter adapted to fit into said enclosure,said container being adapted to hold cigarettes, a cover member hingedlyconnected to said container, the upper edge of bination, a container, anenclosure formed upon one end of said container, a lighter adapted tofit into said enclosure, said container being adapted to holdcigarettes, a cover member hingedly connected to said container, theupper edge of said cover member contacting the lower portion of saidenclosure when in closed. position, a cupshaped member depending fromsaid cover member and constituting a wall portion of the container whenthe cover member is in closed position, the bottom of said cup-shapedmember being shaped to act as a presser member for cigarettes disposedWithin said container, and a lid for said cup-shaped member, said lidbeing hingedly connected to said cup-shaped member.

ALFRED F. REILLY.

